Oregon Firearms Academy, LLC operated from 1996 to December 2016 as a serious tactical training facility in the Willamette Valley near Brownsville and Lebanon, Oregon. What set OFA apart wasn't just volume—it was their safety record and instructor standards. The academy achieved what few ranges do: ...
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Oregon Firearms Academy, LLC operated from 1996 to December 2016 as a serious tactical training facility in the Willamette Valley near Brownsville and Lebanon, Oregon. What set OFA apart wasn't just volume—it was their safety record and instructor standards. The academy achieved what few ranges do: zero firearm-related incidents across 20 years and 4-Star rating from the National Association of Shooting Ranges (NSSF), putting them in a group of only six to seven such facilities nationwide.
"It is bittersweet as the team we've built is solid and our instructor cadre has been with us for a really long time... Yes, years! We had an impeccable safety record."
OFA served law abiding citizens, law enforcement, armed security, private investigators, and corrections officers. They drew students from across the US and trained active service members from every military branch. When Gulf War II began, OFA provided free training to servicemembers' spouses. A Delta Force operator presented them with a US flag that had accompanied a direct action mission in Iraq.
Located 15 minutes north of Eugene and south of Salem (just 15 minutes off I-5), OFA's private 30-meter tactical range could run three separate training drills simultaneously. The facility featured:
| Course | Hours | Cost | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Handgun Safety | 8 | $125 + 50 rds | None (exceeds OR CHL requirement) |
| Defensive Handgun 1 | 8 | $250 + 300-350 rds | Basic Handgun Safety |
| Defensive Handgun 2 | 8 | $250 + 500 rds | DH1 + CHL/LE ID/background check |
| Defensive Handgun 3 | 8 | $250 + 500 rds | DH1 & DH2 + CHL/LE ID/background check |
| Defensive Carbine/Rifle | 16 | $400 + 450-650 rds | Basic Handgun Safety + DH1 |
| Defensive Shotgun | 8 | $250 + 300-350 rds | Basic Handgun Safety + DH1 |
| Handgun Low Light/Night Fire | 8 | $250 + 350-500 rds | Previous defensive training |
| HR 218 LEOSA Qualification | 1.5 | $125 + 100 rds | For retired law enforcement |
| Private Tutorials | Hourly | $100/hr (1 student, 2hr min) or $175/hr (2 students, 2hr min) | — |
Classes were consistently full 6-8 months in advance, indicating high demand for their instruction.
While OFA didn't endorse specific models, the most trouble-free firearms they saw regularly included: - GLOCK - Sig Sauer - Les Baer - Springfield - Kimber - Kahr - Smith & Wesson
OFA emphasized that defensive handgun selection came down to three criteria: reliability, reliability, and reliability. They also pushed back against the common misconception that women needed smaller or lower-caliber firearms, noting they trained petite female law enforcement and corrections officers who qualified on duty weapons like Glock 19s and 22s.
OFA required factory new ammunition only—no reloads. They specifically advised against Wolf or other steel-cased ammo in NATO-spec firearms (AR-15s, GLOCKs), which could destroy extractors and gum internal parts. When posting round counts, OFA listed minimums only; students could bring and shoot more.
Despite full enrollment and strong demand, OFA's leadership decided to move on in 2016. Staff members had competing priorities: grandchildren, family programs, work commitments. Instructors Rick and Dan transitioned to training elsewhere. The range facility itself remained operational with all electronic systems and The Adjudicator intact. Former OFA instructors continue offering private training and small-group instruction independently.
OFA was nominated at the SHOT Show as one of three Ranges of the Year around 2006. Their 4-Star rating from NSSF was the result of rigorous standards and decades of incident-free operations—a distinction most ranges never achieve.
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